Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer’s Office

Photo by Tom Rivers – This photo from October 2015 shows apples at an Albion orchard. Orleans County is one of the leading apple-growing counties in the state, behind only Wayne and Ulster counties.

Following their repeated calls earlier this year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the New York State Farm Service Agency’s request for a federal Agricultural Disaster Designation following this past May’s deep freeze that destroyed thousands of acres of crops for 31 counties across Upstate New York.

Schumer personally called USDA Secretary Vilsack to advocate on New York’s behalf, and working with Senator Gillibrand fought to deliver the disaster designation for NY. The senators said Upstate NY suffered major crop damage from the extreme cold weather this past May, destroying grapes, apples, strawberries, blueberries, and other crops vital to the Upstate NY economy, and that with harvest season just beginning, this relief will be critical to supporting impacted farmers on the long road to recovery.

The Secretarial disaster designation has officially been approved for 31 counties including Albany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Columbia, Cortland, Dutchess, Greene, Jefferson, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Wayne and Westchester and Yates.

The senators also said that an additional 24 counties across Upstate NY have been designated by the USDA as contiguous disaster counties including: Allegany, Fulton, Madison, Orange, Bronx, Genesee, Monroe, Rockland, Chenango, Hamilton, Montgomery, St. Lawrence, Delaware, Herkimer, Nassau, Sullivan, Erie, Lewis, Niagara, Warren, Essex, Livingston, Oneida, and Wyoming.

“From the vineyards of the Finger Lakes to the orchards of the Capital Region, family-owned farms are the backbone of Upstate New York’s agriculture economy,” Schumer said. “But this past May they suffered from one of the most devastating deep freezes in recent memory, destroying thousands of acres of crops.”

A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and counties contiguous eligible to be considered for critical low-interest FSA Emergency Loans. Impacted NY producers will be able to borrow up to 100 percent of the actual amount of production or physical losses to a maximum amount of $500,000.

According to the USDA, emergency loan funds may be used to: restore or replace essential property, pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, or reorganize the farming. Farmers in eligible counties have 8 months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.

“This past May’s deep freeze destroyed thousands upon thousands of acres of crops, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and their communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This designation unlocks emergency relief funds for farm operators in eligible counties and my message to farmers is this: apply for this relief quickly and my office is here to support you.”

The severe cold temperature and frost in May resulted in significant crop losses for several types of fruit, including grapes, apples, strawberries, peaches, pears, plums, blueberries, apricots, cherries, and caneberries across the state and flower and hay damage in certain areas. According to the National Weather Service, New York had multiple dates where the temperature dropped below freezing between May 14 and May 25, but the time period that caused the most widespread damage happened overnight from May 17 to May 18.

These freezing temperatures caused severe frost damage to multiple crops across the majority of the state. However, Schumer said that grapes and apples were hit especially hard, with vineyards across New York reporting losses ranging from 5 to 100 percent.

According to Empire State Development, New York State is the third-largest producer of grapes, grape juice and wine in the United States. In addition, the state is the second-largest producer of apples in the country. These crops make a significant contribution to the state’s agricultural economy and support many local businesses and jobs, employing close to 100,000 New Yorkers and producing $11.5 billion worth of economic impact annually.

LYNDONVILLE – The school district will be making free breakfasts and lunches available to all students this school year.

The district was accepted by the state Department of Education to be included in the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Breakfast/Lunch Program. Lyndonville started offering the free breakfasts and lunches this summer and has served about 2,000 meals.

“That we can feed every child two meals a day that really helps our families,” said Sharon Smith, the district superintendent.

There are about 600 students in the Lyndonville district, including those in prekindergarten.

Lyndonville school officials and the Board of Education decided to apply for the program last school year, and expected Lyndonville would have to pay about $14,000.

But the state will cover the district’s share, so there won’t be any local cost for providing the meals.

To qualify for the program, a district or school building must have an Identified Student Percent (ISP) of at least 40 percent. Lyndonville is at 42 percent, Smith said. She added that 58 percent of the student body is in poverty.

The ISP isn’t determined by student eligible for free and reduced lunch. Instead it depends on SNAP and Medicaid recipients identified through the electronic direct certification matching process (DCMP) and extension of these eligibility benefits to siblings or other household members not matched. It also includes homeless children identified by the homeless liaison, Head Start students, migrant, runaway and foster children certified directly by the state or local foster agency.

Lyndonville families don’t need to register to have access to the meals, Smith said.

The Board of Education on Thursday extended its food service contract with Personal Touch Food Service, Inc. in Buffalo, increasing the amount by 3.5 percent.

The cost for breakfast will increase from $3.0640 to $3.1712 per meal, and lunch will go up from $3.5810 to $3.7063.

‘Sonny’ Dent and Gary Wakefield praised for their service

Photo by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – Gary “Sonny” Dent, left, and Gary Wakefield celebrate their retirements from Lyndonville Central School on Thursday evening.

They were recognized during the Board of Education meeting, which they had a recess for a reception for the two retirees.

Dent worked for the district for 20 years with the first 15 as a groundskeeper and the past 5 years in maintenance.

“I enjoyed everything about the job,” Dent said. “I loved the kids, and the challenges.”

He said the school district is like a family. He was grateful to be a part of it for two decades.

Dent was praised by Sharon Smith, the district superintendent.

“This place worked because of you, Sonny,” she said. “Everyone here knows it. We are eternally indebted to you.”

Board of Education member Harold Suhr said Dent is “a diamond in the rough” with great character.

“He can do anything and everything, and do it with nothing,” Suhr said. “He’s done a great job. You can’t replace him.”

Wakefield worked 23 years as a custodian for the district. He said he is very thankful for a career in a school setting.

“You see the kids everyday with their smiling faces,” he said. “I made a lot of friends with the teachers.”

Wakefield battled cancer seven years ago and he said the teachers showed him great kindness which helped him get through that health challenge.

Smith said Wakefield greets everyone with a smile and is a big part while the school looks so good.

“He is one of kindest, most thoughtful guys I’ve ever met,” Suhr said during the board meeting. “Gary, your heart is bigger than this entire school building.”

Press Release, Arc GLOW

ELBA — Come down to Arc GLOW’s Day Habilitation Center in Elba to walk, run, skip or jump to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for the 19th annual Friends & Family 5K and Fun Walk on Sept. 16.

It is an event which gives people of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to participate. It also welcomes and embraces the participation of the people Arc GLOW serves, aligning with their mission to support people with disabilities in partnership with their families and community.

These runners and walkers are shown at last year’s Friends & Family 5K shirt.

Taste of Country, the signature event within the Friends and Family 5K, features a wonderful display of fruits and vegetables donated by area farmers. Runners, walkers, sponsors and volunteers each have the opportunity to take some home with them.

Arc GLOW expects over 300 runners and walkers this year. The event’s post party features live music by The Buffalo Road Show with Jim and Babe Catino, kid’s activities, food, beverages and award ceremony.

The Friends and Family 5K began as a memorial to Mary Anne Graney, a parent, educator, advocate and friend to Arc GLOW who died in 2004. Her dedication to people with IDD and their families enriches countless lives. The Bluebonnet sponsorship is in honor of Graney’s Texas roots.

The Graney family is pleased funds raised in this event help support education through the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship program, which is presented to area high school seniors planning to further their studies in human services, special education or related fields. The money also goes toward helping fund various programs and services Arc GLOW offers for individuals with IDD.

In 2017, the Friends and Family 5K combined forces with the former 5K held in memory of Arc staff member Terri Carr Krieger. Krieger was a longtime employee who lost her battle with cancer in 1997. The Blue Spruce sponsor level is in Krieger’s honor.

Finally, for many years the Livingston-Wyoming 5K was held in memory of Dr. Ramon M. Rocha. He passionately believed in the possibilities of life, and has been an endless source of inspiration for people of all ages and abilities.

A beloved family man and enthusiastic volunteer, the Blue Knight sponsorship connects Dr. Rocha to SUNY Geneseo where he was a respected professor.

The Friends & Family 5K will take place Sept. 16 where check in begins at 8:45 a.m. and the race beings at 10 a.m. Race t-shirts will be guaranteed for all participants who register by Sept. 7 and until quantities last for walk-ins. It will be held at the Arc Day Habilitation Center, located at 4603 Barrville Road in Elba.

For anyone who wishes to sponsor the 5K, contact Sandy Konfederath at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1715 or skonfederath@arcglow.org by Aug. 21.

Walkers and runners wishing to register can do so online at ArcGLOW.org or by contacting Konfederath.

Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle’s Office

Today, Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY), Brian Higgins (D-NY), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and Brandon Williams (R-NY)  announced their bipartisan support for the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor (NY SMART I-Corridor) application for the Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) Program.

The bipartisan group of New York members saw the opportunity to build on the strengths of their unique communities, collaborate across specialized industries and reinvigorate economic growth for years to come. Following enormous community effort and collaboration from their universities, field experts, and local and federal advocates, the NY SMART I-Corridor application offers a promising future for the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region.

“For generations, Rochester has been synonymous with innovation, and it has long been my priority in Congress to launch our next chapter of growth and prosperity with Tech Hub designation,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Federal investment in local innovation will build on the strengths of our unique communities and catalyze the growth of our domestic semiconductor industry benefitting all Americans. I’m grateful for the bipartisan support of my colleagues from the New York delegation and look forward to our work together reinvigorating the Finger Lakes region for the next generation.”

Enacted as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, and modeled after Congressman Morelle’s Innovation Centers Acceleration Act first introduced in 2020, the Tech Hub program will invest in U.S. regions focused on key technologies, including semiconductor research and advanced manufacturing, to strengthen our domestic supply chain and reinvigorate regional economies.

The Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region is uniquely poised to excel in semiconductor production due to a highly trained workforce, world-class universities, and extensive manufacturing infrastructure. MIT economists Jonathan Gruber and Simon Johnson identified 100 cities as prime candidates for economic growth through targeted federal investment. On that list, Rochester is ranked number one, Syracuse number three, and Buffalo number fifteen.

The promising NY SMART I-Corridor proposal is the first step in a two-phase application process for federal investment via the Tech Hub program. Successful applicants will receive Tech Hub designation, which is key for Phase 2 federal investment opportunities.

“Over the past few years we have seen how our reliance on foreign countries for semiconductors can cause shortages, economic harm, and the undermining of our national security,” said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. “Designating Western New York as a Tech Hub will help make our national supply chains more secure and self-reliant while bringing jobs to Upstate and Western New York. Home of the industrial revolution, with this federal investment, our community can continue to be a source of technological innovation and advancement. I am honored to join a bipartisan group of New York legislators as we work to boost innovation, support our local economy, and create opportunities for our businesses to thrive.”

Press Release, Regional Transit Service

ROCHESTER – Regional Transit Service (RTS) is looking to improve its transit services in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.

Building on the success of updated transit services in Monroe County and the City of Rochester, this study is expanding focus to rural areas to complete region-wide transit improvements. This project will examine the service needs in these seven counties, with the goal of the study focused on identifying opportunities for on-demand, technology-driven, point-to-point transit services as an option for residents of the study area.

RTS wants to make it easier for customers to get around rural areas, and on-demand transit could be a promising solution. On-demand transit is a ride-sharing mobility option in which ADA-accessible vehicles provide service within specific geographic areas. Customers can request rides by calling, using an app, or a website.

Public input is critical to the success of the study. Residents, business representatives, and other community members are encouraged to visit the study website (click here) from Aug. 14 to Sept. 11 to fill out the survey.

About RTS

Regional Transit Service (RTS) is a regional transit authority established by New York State with more than 900 employees who proudly serve customers and business partners in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Recognized as one of the best-run transit systems in the nation, RTS provides vital, safe, and sustainable transportation services to more than 9 million people each year. We carry out our mission by connecting our customers to jobs, school, healthcare, shopping and recreational activities every day.

Federal designation would ‘supercharge’ investment in upstate

Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

After years of relentless advocacy to bolster Upstate NY’s innovation and manufacturing industries, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced the Rochester-Buffalo-Syracuse region have joined forces with a proposal to become a federally-designated Tech Hub in the first-of-its-kind nationwide competition created in his CHIPS & Science Bill.

Photo by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer speaks in Albion on Aug. 1 when he highlighted an effort to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. from China and Mexico.

The proposal, entitled the New York Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Technology Innovation Corridor Consortium (NY SMART I-Corridor), would build on the historic investments Schumer delivered that have spurred a boom in semiconductor manufacturing and innovation investments in Upstate NY.

The three-region proposal would use targeted federal assistance to help attract new companies, strengthen domestic supply chains, launch startups & support innovation, expand workforce training, connect underserved communities to good-paying jobs, and revive this critical industry integral to America’s national security and economic competitiveness.

Schumer has personally written to Commerce Secretary Raimondo on behalf of Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, making the case that their proposal is best suited to help drive forward stronger semiconductor and broader microelectronics industries for the entire nation.

“From Rochester to Buffalo to Syracuse the I-90 corridor has everything it takes to become America’s semiconductor superhighway,” Schumer said. “The NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hubs proposal would tap into Upstate NY’s booming microchip industry, training our workforce for tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and supercharging R&D, all while helping attract new major employers in supply chain industries and bringing manufacturing in this critical industry back to America.”

Schumer said the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse corridor is uniquely positioned to rapidly address vulnerabilities in American semiconductor manufacturing, with the region having undergone a significant transformation in recent years to become a growing center for innovation and high-tech manufacturing. In fact, Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo respectively have been validated as the #1, #3, and #15-ranked metro areas in Jump Starting America’s Tech Hub Index System as the region’s best poised to become new Tech-Economy hubs if provided federal investment.

Schumer has been preparing Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse for this opportunity, working relentlessly to boost Upstate New York as a global tech leader. Schumer’s advocacy has resulted in billions in proposed investments from the semiconductor industry spurred by his Chips & Science Bill.

In the Syracuse region alone, Micron has announced an historic $100 billion investment to build a cutting-edge memory fab expected to create nearly 50,000 jobs. In Western NY at the STAMP site in Genesee County, Edwards Vacuum will invest $300+ million to build a 600 job U.S. dry pump manufacturing facility to supply the semiconductor industry.

With Schumer’s direct advocacy, Buffalo has already received $25 million for its growing tech industry through the American Recue Plan’s Build Back Better Challenge, laying the foundation for the Tech Hub designation they are applying for today. In the Rochester region, Corning Incorporated, which manufactures glass critical to the microchip industry, has already invested  $139 million in Monroe County – creating over 270 new, good-paying jobs in the Finger Lakes region.

“Each city has superb academic centers and each brings with it a unique set of assets with Micron’s historic investment in Central NY, Rochester as one of the leading centers in research & innovation, and Buffalo as one of the great manufacturing powerhouses that built America in the last century and is primed to do the same this century,” Schumer said. “Together they are a killer combination that can make Upstate NY a global leader for semiconductors with targeted federal investment from the Tech Hubs program.”

Specifically, the NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub proposal seeks to propel the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse corridor by attracting new suppliers to the region, including onshoring companies from overseas, advancing research & development programs for the semiconductor industry, training the next generation of Upstate New York’s manufacturing workforce, and specifically helping ensure that underserved populations are connected to the tens thousands of good-paying jobs expected to be created in this growing industry in the region.

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “The Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region contains semiconductor and advanced manufacturing resources, talent, and scientific capabilities that rival any other in the United States – all within an easy two-and-a-half-hour drive. The NY SMART I-Corridor represents an incredible opportunity to further strengthen the collaboration between these three metro areas, creating a hub for advancement of industry-shaping semiconductor technology, enhanced national security, and a transformed Upstate New York economy.”

Wilson, a Medina native and television host for Channel 7 in Buffalo, is a breast cancer survivor

Provided photo: Mercedes Wilson, author, host of 7Life with WKBW Channel 7 and breast cancer survivor, will be the guest speaker at Orleans Community Health’s For Women Only, scheduled Oct. 5 at White Birch in Lyndonville.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is excited to announce the return of For Women Only, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at White Birch in Lyndonville.

For Women Only was an annual event which always sold out until Covid forced its cancellation in 2020, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communications and outreach for Orleans Community Health.

In addition to raising funds, the event also provided educational information to attendees and entertainment.

“Everyone knows someone who has had their lives affected by cancer,” Robinson said. “Bringing back For Women Only allows us to bring survivors, fighters and supporters together for an evening of stories, information and uplifting times.”

When Covid forced a change in plans in 2020, several tickets and sponsorships were sold, Robinson said. These will all be honored in October. Anyone who believes they had already purchased tickets should contact Lori Condo at (585) 798-8422 and she will confirm the purchase and reservation. Contact with Condo is necessary to confirm the reservation.

Tickets for a new reservation are $30 and can be purchased by contacting Lori Condo.

Guest speaker for the evening will be Mercedes Wilson, mother of four, an author, advocate, host of 7Life with WKBW Channel 7 and entrepreneur. She also is a 2000 Medina High School graduate.

She will share her story of being diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, which changed everything, she said. From that battle she formed For Our Daughters, a non-profit geared at teaching youth how to advocate for their health and wellness. The organization served young women across Western New York.

 Wilson is the host of a new digital platform for Channel 7 called “7Life,” which highlights all of the great people and places in the area. While doing a segment for AM Buffalo, she discovered a dish that her late grandmother used to make called “Cha-Cha.” Her family and friends loved it so much that she kept making it and it is now sold in more than 100 grocery stores across Upstate New York.

In addition to Wilson, other speakers will share information about services available in Orleans County and some will share their personal experiences.

“While we’re using the October date to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to stress that this is an event for all,” Robinson said. “In addition to basket raffles and other returning highlights, we’re also adding an opportunity to have loved ones included in a slide show that honors those we’ve lost, current fighters and survivors. As always, funds raised during this event will go toward cancer services in Orleans.”

Anyone interested in participating in the event or donating a basket should contact Robinson at srobinson@medinamemorial.org.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul previewed a year-long celebration of the centennial anniversary of the founding of New York’s statewide park and historic site system to take place in 2024.

The celebration will both highlight and build upon one of New York State’s greatest environmental legacies. In 1924, Governor Alfred E. Smith and the State Legislature created the New York State Council of Parks while voters approved a $15 million bond act to build and enlarge a network of State parks, forging the New York State park and historic site system that New York State residents and visitors know and cherish today.

“New York State led the nation in creating a State park system for our citizens 100 years ago,” Governor Hochul said. “As we celebrate through next year, New York will continue to invest in our park system to support the State’s outdoor recreation economy, expand access to underserved communities, address the impacts of climate change, and position New York State as a top recreation destination.”

Across the state through 2024, New York will commemorate the state park centennial with hundreds of community celebrations, performances and special events led by the state park and historic site staff, the State Council of Parks and Park and Historic Site Friends Groups. There will be a new Centennial Challenge to encourage visitors to try a variety of new activities as they enjoy the parks and historic sites, special discounts on park admission fees and new opportunities to volunteer and promote park stewardship.

A traveling exhibit on the history of New York State Parks will go on display at parks and historic sites throughout the state. State Parks will collect and share stories and photographs from the public to celebrate the memories made during the last century, as well as a new line of Centennial-themed New York State Parks merchandise from the parks store. New Yorkers can visit parks.ny.gov/100 to learn more about the Centennial.

While New York State had established a number of state parks and historic sites prior to 1924 to protect scenic and historic resources – such as Niagara Falls, George Washington’s Revolutionary War Headquarters, and Bear Mountain – the State Park Act was intended to directly connect citizens to outdoor recreation.

When these limited preserves proved to be overwhelmingly popular, state leaders recognized the need to create more parks in proximity to urban centers. In 1923, Governor Alfred E. Smith endorsed an ambitious plan for a statewide system of parks connected by scenic parkways and boulevards. In 1924, New York State established the State Council of Parks and voters approved a $15 million bond to put the plan in action. Over the next decade, 55 new state parks were established.

In addition, New York State will prioritize investments and programs to preserve the park system as a model for the nation in the next century by:

• Restoring and expanding visitor capacity: State Parks will continue the ongoing transformation of New York’s flagship parks and embark on critical infrastructure improvement projects. The state budget includes $200 million for capital improvement projects annually for five years, for a total of $1 billion through fiscal year 2028. The funding will help improve parks and restore facilities at such heavily visited parks as Bear Mountain, Heckscher, Jones Beach, and Riverbank State Park.
• Reaching new and underserved audiences: The State Park Centennial is an opportunity to expand and improve access and connections to all communities and to all people, regardless of background or physical ability. State Parks will expand its Ladders to the Outdoors program statewide, enhancing the Connect Kids field trip program. The continuing Our Whole History initiative will more fully tell the story of the diversity of our state.
• Facing forward into climate change: In the next century, State Parks must address the challenges of ongoing, human-induced climate change. State Parks will meet Governor Hochul’s goal to power all facilities with renewable energy by 2030, while making park facilities more resilient to climate change and sea level rise.
• Positioning New York as a recreation destination: Over the last century, State Parks have hosted visitors from around the world, including a record 79.5 million visitors in 2022. The park system is an anchor of local tourism economies and offers affordable destinations for recreational and cultural experiences for New York families. The Centennial will offer opportunities to welcome these visitors and play a positive role in local economies, including the opening of the Ralph Wilson Visitor Center at Niagara Falls, the Frederic Church Center for Art and Landscape at Olana State Historic Site and a new Visitor Center at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, as well as new trails connecting parks to their communities.
• Strengthening community partnerships: The agency will work with partners to issue centennial reports on the status of parks, demographic trends and goals to ignite support for the state park system among a new generation of patrons.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “I am reminded every day of the immense pride and enjoyment New Yorkers take in the park and historic site system. We look forward to celebrating 100 years of connections between New York State Parks and Historic Sites, their communities and their partners – and laying the foundation for a vibrant, welcoming and sustainable park system for the next century.”

The Albion Chamber of Commerce produced a stylish souvenir program for the 1912 Fruit Growers’ Convention.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans – Vol. 3, No. 26

ALBION – The New York State Fruit Growers’ Association held their annual business meeting in Albion on August 14-15, 1912. The Albion Chamber of Commerce coordinated the arrangements.

Over 1,000 people attended, and the Chamber appealed to residents to open their homes to provide accommodation. Messenger boys were on hand to direct visitors to the residences where they had been assigned.

Scheduled events had to be moved from the Orleans County Courthouse to the Baptist Church auditorium to accommodate the large crowd. Additional telephones and

telegraph instruments were set up in the Courthouse.

Over 300 members traveled in their own automobiles which were parked on the Albion High School grounds. Policemen were assigned to guard the vehicles.

Wednesday’s program began with an Address of Welcome presented by W.B. Dye, Mayor of Albion, and Clark Allis, president of the Fruit Growers’ Association.

Edward Van Alstyne, Director of Farmers’ Institutes, spoke on The Apple Industry.

Major R.R. Riddell of the State Dept. of Agriculture spoke on New York’s Agricultural Renaissance.

The program included this list of Albion restaurants.

A complimentary Musical and Literary Concert held at the High School rounded out the day’s activities.

A mammoth 70-mile automobile trip to inspect Orleans County orchards was organized for Thursday, August 15. Medina and Albion residents donated the use of their cars for the trip.

The entourage of over 300 cars left Albion at 8 a.m. They visited the State experimental orchards of Albert W. Wood in Carlton, the Point Breeze farm of Mrs. Anna Clark, the S.T.J. Bush orchards in Kendall, and the Foster Uddell orchards, south of Brockport.

Lunch was served at Point Breeze, then the tour headed west to view the peach orchards of “peach king”, Clark Allis, near Knowlesville and the Jay Allis farm, the Bickle orchard in Shelby and the Dudley Watson, Francis Hanlon, and Crowley orchards near the Ridge.

The group was impressed by the obvious investments in new orchards and by the innovative methods in use. They concluded that the future of the fruit industry in Western New York looked very promising.

File photo: Girl Scouts in Troop 82007 pick up trash at the Canal Widewaters along Presbyterian Road in Knowlesville during the shoreline cleanup in September 2020.

ALBION – The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District is seeking volunteers for its annual shoreline cleanup on Sept. 9

Volunteers will collect and record the litter they pick up at nearby waterways. The volunteers are expected to head to the Widewaters of the Erie Canal near Knowlesville, the Waterport Dam and other sites if there are enough volunteers.

Each year the Orleans County Water Quality Coordinating Committee facilitates a shoreline cleanup event, which is sponsored by the American Littoral Society.

This event is open to all volunteers and provides an excellent opportunity for students, scouts, 4-H’ers and adults to fulfill community service requirements and make a significant contribution to the community and environment.

Volunteers will meet Sept. 9 at Bullard Park on East Avenue in Albion at 9 a.m. After a brief introduction, they will disperse to several predetermined locations throughout the county to begin the collection.

The volunteers will return to Bullard at noon, where the trash will be weighed and the volunteers will be treated to pizza.

Contact the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District at 585-589-5959 ext. 5 if you are interested in helping or if you have any questions. Or email Judy Bennett at Soil & Water, judy.bennett@ny.nacdnet.net.

Reassessments in Shelby, Ridgeway dramatically increased tax base

MEDINA – The tax rates for the school district are going down – dramatically – after townwide reassessments in Shelby and Ridgeway increased the school district’s tax base by about 50 percent.

The Board of Education on Aug. 7 approved the tax warrant, which also sets the tax rates for the school district (and also the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library). The Medina district primarily includes property owners in Ridgeway and Shelby, but also includes small portions of Barre, Hartland, Albion and Alabama.

The rates for Ridgeway, Shelby and Alabama, which are at full valuation, are $14.03 per $1,000 of assessed property – down from just over $20.

The $14.03 rate is lowest for the district in at least 25 years. That’s as far back as Dr. Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent, could go in the district database.

Overall the school district’s tax base is up by 49.3 percent or $206,391,967. It went from $418,392,371 in 2022-23 to the current $624,784,338.

Not all towns did re-valuations in Orleans County this past year with some wanting to wait to see if a hot real estate market settles down. The towns typically do re-valuations every three years. Ridgeway and Shelby were scheduled to do them in 2022 but held off until this year, when they completed the town-wide reassessments and the values are up by a lot.

The portion of Ridgeway in the Medina school district increased in assessed value by 54.6 percent or by $110,201,809 – from $201,811,373 to $312,013,182. Ridgeway’s school tax rate is dropping by $7.64 from $21.67 per $1,000 of assessed property to $14.03.

Shelby’s assessed value in the district jumped by 46.8 percent or by $96,019,297 – from $205,098,646 to $301,117,943. Shelby’s school tax rate is down by $6.56 from $21.67 to $14.03.

(The Alabama portion changed from $116,220 to $149,916; Albion from $900,084 to $1,007,436; Barre from $6,309,876 to $6,360,923; and Hartland from $4,156,172 to $4,134,938.)

Albion hasn’t done a reassessment in four years and its tax rate, adjusted through equalization by the state, is at $18.96 for those in the Medina school district. Barre did a reassessment in 2022 and is only a year from its last re-val. It’s rate is at $15.59.

The district’s tax levy, what it collects in property taxes, is $8,814,697, the same as the previous year. Medina hasn’t increased the tax levy in 14 of the past 16 years.

The district’s budget for 2023-24 totals $40,095,815, which represents a 0.53 percent spending increase from the $39,884,316 in 2022-23.

Provided photos: The Yates Community Library has received $1,890 from the Lyndonville Area Foundation for the “Rise and Shine” reading program for preschoolers. Pictured from left include Herbert Bohnet, library trustee; Emily Cebula, library director; Michele Harling, Foundation director; Robin Boyle, teacher; Valerie Wells, Foundation member; and Megan Johnson, Foundation member.

Press Release, Lyndonville Area Foundation

LYNDONVILLE – The Yates Community Library appreciates the Lyndonville Area Foundation Grant of $1,890 to be used toward the “Rise and Shine” reading program for preschoolers.

The Foundation grant will be used to assist in a series of early literacy programs for preschoolers offered at the Yates Community Library in Lyndonville known as “Rise and Shine Reading Time.” The program has been ongoing since the fall of 2018, as presented by Robin Boyle, a retired Lyndonville kindergarten teacher with 30 years of experience.

Emily Cebula, the Yates Community Library Director for 15 years, said the goal of the project is the continued growth of the young participants in a variety of skills that will prepare them for school, and for a lifetime of reading and learning enjoyment. Social and behavioral skills, communication and literary skills, confidence in being able to form questions, listening skills, understanding of story structure and sequence and visual discrimination are developed during the course to provide a stepping stone for academic learning.

Created and conducted by Robin Boyle, it will consist of three series of six programs of 45-minutes each, presented every other week, during the fall, winter and spring of 2023-2024.

Robin Boyle is shown with several preschoolers at the Yates Community Library.

Boyle plans each session to include relevant stories, songs, art projects and group activities, such as her very popular scavenger hunts. She incorporates holidays and seasonal themes into her programs and enjoys actively participating just as much as her students do.

Boyle believes the program is successful because of the commitment that parents and caregivers make to bring the children in each week, the ability to create programs that are based on the individual needs of the preschoolers in small class settings and the support of the Yates Community Library staff.

Cebula credits the success of the program to Boyle’s experience and enthusiasm. She wrote in her application to the Foundation: “The joy of sharing books with peers, of recognizing common experiences, and surprise in discovering new adventures, is a treasure to be carried throughout one’s lifetime.”

To sign up for the program, scheduled to begin in October, please contact Cebula, the library director, at (585)765-9041. The sessions are free but space is limited. Families with children age 2, 3 and 4 who are not enrolled in Universal Pre-K, as well as and homeschoolers, are welcome. Priority is given to families living in the Yates Community Library service area, which is the Lyndonville Central School District.